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Motoring news

Drivers get '60 minute' warning

29/03/2010

Motorists who drive abroad are at their most vulnerable one hour into the experience, according to new research for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Studies conducted for the department suggest that factors such as unfamiliarity with rental cars, driving on the right-hand side of the road and driver fatigue all come to a head after 60 minutes - as drivers may begin to relax their guard.

Research conducted in 2000 found that visitors to a foreign country are twice as likely as domestic drivers to have an accident due to fatigue, and twice as likely to crash when renting a car if they are used to driving on the other side of the road. For those hiring mopeds or motorbikes, the likelihood is six times greater than that for locals.

According to research, 60% of drivers become tired in the crucial first hour, when 60% of fatigue-related fatal accidents occur.

Professor Geoff Beattie of Manchester University, who conducted the risk study, said that people were usually in a "happy-go-lucky holiday mood" while abroad, but that "rushing" onto the roads would increase their chances of an accident.

"Our brains need time to adjust to a number of factors for even routine tasks such as driving, so this research should be food for thought for anyone planning to drive abroad."

He added that this was especially the case for those planning to ride motorbikes.

The warning accompanies recent FCO research of 1,080 students at UK universities, which found that a quarter of young travellers ride mopeds or quad bikes without first checking to see if they are covered by their insurance. Last year, the Institute of Advanced Motorists highlighted the dangers of inexperienced young moped riders on domestic roads, and called on the Government to do more to protect them.

Jess Presad, who manages the FCO's Know Before You Go campaign, added: "It's vital that anyone intending to drive abroad researches local driving laws and conditions and ensures their travel insurance covers them."